The Dutchman was the toast of critics and his peers last year, winning the PFA Player of the Year award as well as the FWA's premier gong, but Bale scooped the top trophy at last week's controversial player's do, and has capped off a successful week with another individual award.

Bale told the Football Writers' Association website:

"It is a huge honour to receive the Footballer of the Year award from the Football Writers’ Association.

"It means a lot to win this award when you consider the number of players that have been outstanding for their clubs in the Barclays Premier League this season.

"I've been very fortunate to be playing in such a fantastic team and I owe a lot to my team-mates and, obviously, the manager who has shown such faith in me.

"This award has been won in the past by some of the greatest names in football and I consider it a privilege that the FWA have selected me to be named alongside them."

Bale won 53% of the votes, and is the first Tottenham Hotspur player to win the award since David Ginola in 1999 and the first Welshman to be honoured with English football’s oldest individual trophy since Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall in 1985.